Jennifer Drinkard, M.A.

PDA, or Pathological Demand Avoidance (My preferred name is Pervasive Demand for Autonomy), is a subtype of neurodivergence. PDA is a nervous system disorder that is activated by demands. During a demand, a person with PDA will go into fight/flight, and will cease to be able to function, often resulting in what we call a "meltdown". It's hard to say what demand will trigger this dysregulation, but often it can be something that non-PDAers see as mundane or ordinary. For the person with PDA, the demand is dysregulating and they no longer have access during the time of activation to the part of their brain that makes decisions, uses language, memory, and regulation.Often and unfortunately, PDA is seen as a behavioral issue or disorder when it is NOT. Understanding PDA is the first step to beginning to know how to help a person with PDA regulate. If you treat PDA like a behavioral issue, you'll miss the boat and will often make things worse not only for the person with PDA, but for your entire family system. A person with PDA will do well when regulated, and wants to do well. I've never consulted with a PDA person who wanted to hurt another person that they loved, or anyone, really. Dysregulation can look like many things, but it's important to remember that PDA is often an INVISIBLE disability, meaning you won't see it until the person is dysregulated, and then you need TOOLS and SKILLS and UNDERSTANDING to help. Eventually, you can create an environment that fosters regulation, connection, compassion, and peace, through consistency, education, and effort.That's where I come in. I am a PDA consultant and parent coach, and I help families all over the world create a home where everyone can thrive; a peaceful, regulated home. To book with me, return to the home page and send an email.